Making the Bed...

      MAKE THE BED is the first on the list of Martha's "six things to do every day".   She says that "tidyness begets tidiness" (as proved by my husband -- see my January 4 posting) and that having a nicely made bed makes it less likely that one will allow clothes and clutter to pile up around it.

       It sounds easy, I know.  Yet, I'm having a problem with it -- and have for much of my adult life.

       The fact is that I don't like sleeping in an unmade bed.  So I do tend to make the bed at some point during the day -- often in the late afternoon; sometimes, right before climbing in for the night.  But Martha's rule seems to imply that bed-making should be done earlier in the day, so that it can beget the promised tidiness.  Also, having it as the first rule on her list suggests that perhaps this should even be the first thing done each day.

       In addition (and this is strange), I don't experience any hesitation making the bed at other people's homes.  If I am a guest at my parents' or in-laws' or brothers' homes, for example, I tend to make the bed before I leave the room each morning.  But in my own home? Hardly ever.

       Although I have not undergone any psychiatric counseling, I suspect this issue is rooted in my childhood...  (More to come, tomorrow)